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Oh What A Year!

December 31, 2010

Wow...A year. And what a year...Hard to sit down and reflect on the whirlwind that 2010 has been because my whole body, mind and soul are still twirling from everything that's happened and is happening. Gratitude sinks in. A sense of accomplishment. Hopes fulfilled. Goals simmering. I hope it's not too long. There is some photo talk, some cookbook talk, some love and friendship talk, some travel and food talk. I want to write it all down to make sure I did not just dream 2010, it was so incredibly wonderful.

You guys have made this year special with your words, both online and off, sharing your thoughts with me as I came here each week to share some food and a few stories. With this post, I also wish to show the most important persons in my life, my parents and my husband that their patience and support, unconditional love pushed me harder. And the close friends who have shared many a "shoot meal" to help out!

I love reading everyone's end of the year posts and I especially loved this quote from Matt Armendariz from Matt Bites: "I realized that everything I’ve ever done has led me to this point of my life, even when I hadn’t a clue. I realized the best is yet to come." He is so right! The hours I have spent working and honing my skills have given something that make me whole and thrilled to share with you. I am forever changed by the people I have met this year and the relationships I have fostered.

The year started with a bang setting the tone for the rest of the year. Traveling, teaching, meeting, learning, working. I flew to Atlanta to meet my favorite peeps and delve into a Sugar Coma experience culminating by teaching a macarons workshop.

I came home to start photographing my first cookbook for Carrie of Deliciously Organic (available next week!). Not only did I learn a lot about books, publishing, logistics, etc...I also gained a close friend in Carrie and fell completely in love with her personality and the way she is in life as she is on paper. Honest, genuine and patient. We loved working so closely together that we are co-authoring a cookbook together in 2011. I can't wait to get started!

Right after, I flew to L.A to teach more macaron workshops as well as some on photography, all so cleverly and perfectly organized by three amazing ladies I miss everyday, Rachael, Jen and Gaby. Why is this country so wide? From L.A, I flew to Seattle to teach more workshops on macarons and photography this time organized by Viv, the hostess with the mostess (no seriously) and I was eccastic to be able to visit with my favorite peeps: Anita, Jeanne, Jen, Shauna, Danny and Lu. Dang that was a good time!

I came home right on time to pick up my parents at the airport and take my mom inside the airport bookstore to show her the first magazine cover I had styled (!) I wanted to show her that all the time and patience they invested in believing and supporting my endeavors was paying off. I thoroughly enjoyed the 3 weeks we spent together this Spring. I was thrilled to be busy working on several magazine shoots to show parents how my job goes on a daily basis whether for clients, charity or events that friends were organizing. Volunteer to go beyond what is asked of you. Always.

The summer was looking just about as busy and quite frankly I was just about to burst at the seam from gratitude having this much work and being able to contribute my fair share of experiences to the household. In late June I flew to Utah to speak at Evo 10 and finally met lots of bloggers I had know online for years. From small group gathering to big room lectures, I finally met in the flesh authors and photographers I had been admiring for years and from too far. They reinforced my belief that I was on the right track, that being authentic and vulnerable is the way to open yourself to incredible experiences. From Utah, it was on to Colorado and the Food&Light Photography Workshop. I wish I could have stayed longer and enjoy the beauty of my surroundings but there was more work calling back home.

In one week, I had cleared my head and met some of the most gracious people out there. It would be hard to top. Oh wait! Flying home to celebrate my grandfather's 100th birthday was seriously THE event of 2010. Forget work, forget deadlines, pending contracts and bills. Forget it all. The man is my Superhero. I wish I could have taken him on the road trip I took shortly after his birthday, heading down to the Alps and my native Provence. I bet you he would have had 100 more stories to tell. It was an amazing trip but there was more work awaiting at home.

Pretty much the day after I landed back in SC, I started doing the photography for another cookbook, this time written by the talented Holly Herrick and all about tarts. I know! One of my favorite topics! It was a ton of work cooking, styling and photographing but again I was teaching myself and learning so much in the process that it made the experience that much more fulfilling. I was looking to a little break during the fall and was thrilled to go back to San Francisco to speak at BlogHer Food once again and give back some of what I had learned. I really re-discovered and fell in love with the city again. Not to mention spending quality time with dear friends again.

I went home and started on my biggest project yet to date with Wiley Publishing and before I could realize I'd do the bulk of it during the holiday season, Thanksgiving rolled around, marking the start of what B. and I label "End Of The Year Craziness". Being able to spend time with both friends and family as much as we have been able to this year has been the key to keeping us grounded. And going. And energized. And peaceful. And grateful

So what's in store for 2011? I am looking forward to having my friend Taylor here for a few days in January and then driving to Alabama together for the FoodBlog South conference. I'm looking forward to meeting creative people I have been following for years and seeing friends again. I'll be meeting for the first time celebrated author Virginia Willis, whose cookbook I will be photographing in February. I am also working on finalizing plans and dates for other jobs, shooting more cookbooks, writing my own (I know! That part is crazy!)

See, there is much known and much unknown to 2011 but you know what? I am looking forward to it all. Blog, friends, family, work. They make me whole. I try to take everything as a possibility for growth, good or bad and the kind words, support and frienships you have extended to me this year have made me do this move (from Love Actually) a thousand times over.

This year has been nothing short of feeling like Christmas mornings most days. So to you dear readers, I wish you a lots and more of these moments for 2011!

Your blog has been an inspiration in my kitchen and with my camera for the past 3 years, especially this past year. Congratulations on your successes this year, and best wishes to many that's coming in the year to come! Happy New Year!

What an incredible year you've had! Congratulations on all your accomplishments — you more than deserve them. I've seen your blog change and evolve, and it only keeps getting better. Here's to a great 2011. I know it will bring so many more amazing rewards.

Helen.....I am gonna do that "move" now too - I am so happy to know you & to have seen you so many times this year. LOVE viewing all of your success & can't wait to see more down the road. I look forward to getting to know you better through the years. You rock girl :) xo

Perfect round up. That Love Actually clip reminds me of when you told me about the cookbook. So cute! So proud of you. Your work ethic is tremendous and you deserve every happiness. Congrats! Can't wait to see you in B'Ham!

Everything about this post - from the gorgeous photographs to the move from Love Actually is just so perfect & adorable. I hope 2011 would bring you the same (if not more) happiness & joy than 2010 Helene. :-)

Beautifully written, beautifully photographed Helene; your talent and spirit are present in all that you do. My wish for 2011 is to meet you IRL - I don't know how the universe is going to work that out, but am looking forward to the moment that happens. Happy New Year Helene - let the new adventures begin!

You had an amazing year! Congratulations! I love the quote you used - "I realized that everything I’ve ever done has led me to this point of my life, even when I hadn’t a clue. I realized the best is yet to come." I lost my Mom a few weeks ago and I've been dreading the new year without her. I'm going to try and keep my mind focused on that quote. Wishing you a new year filled with more great things.

What a beautiful recollection of your year.. So inspiring, and accomplished, well done! Thank you for sharing your time, lessons, experience and talent with all of us who grow and learn from this beautiful blog. Happy New Year!

Such a beautiful roundup of photographs and memories. I've loved reading your blog for the past year. It's been such an inspiration and source of beauty in my day. I hope I get to meet you in person at Food Blog South in just a few weeks. It would be an honor.

Hi Helene: You've had an incredible year and are an inspiration in so many ways. With the anticipation of your new book on food photography "Foodography", will you be doing any workshops this year re the same?

What a busy yet satisfying year you had! I wish you many of these in the future. I am hoping that you will also come to Atlanta for BlogHer Food conference in May. I would love to meet you in person as you are one of the bloggers that I have been learning a lot as well!Wish you a wonderful and exciting 2011!

Hi there, I'm a new reader and I have a quick question. What is the name of/recipe for that chocolate mousse-like cake in a medium-sized ramekin about halfway down the page on this post? I tried to find it on your recipes page but couldn't locate it. It just looks so good I'd love to know what it is and how to make it!